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Original poster

What the bloody hell is this creature in my outhouse?? [pic]

592 replies

CountryMummy1 · 13/05/2015 23:41

Just been outside the feed the cat who has his food in the outhouse. There, hanging from the old pipework are 3 absolutely huge cocoons. They are hideous! Black and more than 4 inches long. They weren't there yesterday. What the hell is going to come out? AIBU to be very worried?

What the bloody hell is this creature in my outhouse?? [pic]
OP posts:
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22
Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 13/05/2015 23:53

Maybe I should send DH in tomorrow to poke it?? But I don't want to hurt whatever's in it...unless it's going to hurt me!!

OP posts:
FyreFly · 13/05/2015 23:53

Do we get imperial moths in the UK? Apologies to OP if you're overseas.

I don't suppose you have a Dh handy who could have a closer look?

YouTheCat · 13/05/2015 23:53

Probably a moth of some sort.

hiddenhome · 13/05/2015 23:53

Can you take any more photos?

cariadlet · 13/05/2015 23:53

I started googling images, but gave up cos they were too gross. I thought about gypsy moth pupae, but I don't think they're that big. Were there any caterpillars crawling around before they appeared?

Akire · 13/05/2015 23:54

Never seen anything like it ether ( v helpful I know!) I would be more scared if next time I went in it was empty..... And you had no idea what was lurking . Que horror movie music :)

hiddenhome · 13/05/2015 23:55

? Elephant hawk moth. They're massive.

FriendlyFrog · 13/05/2015 23:55

Hawk Moth Cocoon?
www.uksafari.com/buried_treasure.htm

Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 13/05/2015 23:55

Have just read that caterpillars turn to moths inside the cocoon by digesting themselves from the inside out Shock so even cutting one open is the stuff of nightmares. Lordy!

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 13/05/2015 23:56

What country are you in OP?

CakeUpWall · 13/05/2015 23:57

A quick google leads me to believe that they are privet hawk moths. Have a look on google images.

You're welcome.

Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 13/05/2015 23:57

I'm too scared to go back out in the dark. I will try and get some more pics tomorrow and maybe have a little poke Confused

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 13/05/2015 23:57

Elephant hawk moth cocoons aren;t even close to four inches long. And they tend to burrow into the ground not hang from things

Moln · 13/05/2015 23:58

I'm nominating Hawk moth.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 13/05/2015 23:58

Don't understand what the black stuff is all around it? Looks like spray paint and bits of soil, or severe mould or something.

Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 14/05/2015 00:00

Hawk moths seem possible but they all seem to be quite shiny. These are sort of dull and.....I don't know how to describe it...skin-like I suppose [shudder]. Just shown DH (who buggered off to bed at 9pm tonight) the pic and he said it looks like a back passage Hmm Very helpful!

OP posts:
WhiffleSqueak · 14/05/2015 00:00

does anyone else find the black splatter around it the creepiest bit of all? as if it were just spat there by whatever spawned it.

KarmaNoMore · 14/05/2015 00:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 14/05/2015 00:01

The black stuff appears to be soil-like stuff I think...and that wasn't there yesterday either. DEAR GOD!!! WHAT THE HELL IS IT! [hyperventilates]

OP posts:
TheCunkOfPhilomena · 14/05/2015 00:02

I reckon that what you have there is a classic infestation of some of these.

Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 14/05/2015 00:02

I'm in Midlands, UK

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 14/05/2015 00:03

Looks like a Leopard moth pupa to me.

The hairy looking bits give it away.

Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 14/05/2015 00:03

Haha Cunk Grin. That will be me when I go in with my electric fly killer to investigate tomorrow

OP posts:
KarmaNoMore · 14/05/2015 00:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KurriKurri · 14/05/2015 00:03

Try looking at big beetles - rhinocerous beetle, hercules beetle, people breed them in Uk - they aren;t native. Or I guess it could be a non native moth. Is it four inches including the sort of fluffy bit at the bottom? Event he largest UK native hawk moth does not have a four inch pupa.